Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-12-18
Il FOUETH PART.
CONCLUDED
CHAPTER XXVH.
Henry returned to his room.

His first impulse was to throw aside the
manuscript, and never TO look at it again.
The one chance of relieving his mind from
the dreadful uncertainty that oppressed it,
BY obtaining positive eveidence of the
truth, was q chance annihilated by the
countess death. What good purpose could
be served, what relief could he anticipate,
if he read more?
he walked up aud down the room. After
an interval, his thoughts took q new direc-
ton; the question Of the manuscript pre-
sented itself under another point of view.
Thus far, his reading had only informed
him that the conspiracy had been planned.
How did he know that the plan had been
put in execution?
The manuscript Lay just before him on
the floor. He hesitated--then picked it
up; and, returning TO the table, read on as
follows, from the point at which he had
let of:
while the countess is still absorbed in
the bold yet simple combination of circum-
stances which she has discovered, the baron
returns. He takes a serious view of the
case of the courier; it may be necessary,
he thinks, to send for medical advice. No
servant is lett in the palace, now the Eng
lish maid has taken her departure. The
baron himself must fetch the doctor, il the
doctor is really needed.
Let US have medical help by all
means his sister replies. But wait and
hear something that have to say to you
first She then electriies the baron by
communicating her ideas TO him. What
danger of discovery have they to dread?
My lords life in Venice has been q life
of absolute seClusion; nobody but his
banker knows him, even by personal sp-
pearanee. He has presented his letter of
credit as o perfectlstranger; and he and his
banker have never seen each other since
that first visit. He has given no parties,
and gone to no parties. On the few occasions
when he has hired a gondola or taken a
walk, he has always been alone. Thanks
to the atrOCious suspicion which makes
him ashamed Of being seen with his wife,
he has led the very life which makes the
proposed enterprise easy of accomplish
ment.
The cautious baron ~listens-but gives
no positive opinion as yet. See what you
can do with the courier he says, and /
will decide when | hear the result. One
valuable hint l may give you before you
20. Your man Is easily tempted by money
-ifyou only offer him enough. The other
day l asked him in Jest what he would do
for & 1000. Unanswered anything. Bear
that in mind, and offer your highest bid
without bargaining
THE scene changes to the courier's room
and shows the poor wretch with q photo
graphic portrait Of his wife in his hand,
crying. The countess enters.
'She wisely begins by sympathizing
with her contemplated accomplice. He is
duly grateful; he confides his sorrows to
his gracious mistress. Now that he be-
lieves himself to be on his desthbed he
feels remorse for his neglectful treatment
of his wife. He could resign himself to
die, but dispair ]Oyerpowers him when he
remembers that he has saved no money,
and that he will leave his widow without
resources, to the mercy of the world.
ION this hint the countess speaks. Sup
pose you were asked to do u perfectly easy
thing, she says; and suppose you were re-
warded for doing it by q present Of 81, 900
as a legacy for your widow"
THE courier raises himself on his pill
low, and looks at the countess with IN eI-
preston of i~nCredulOus surprise. She can
hardly be cruel enough (be thinks) to joke
with q man in his miserable plight. Will
she say plainly what this perfectly easy
thing is, the doing Of which will meet with
such a magnificent rewsrd?
The countess answers that question by
eOnfding her project to the courier, with
out the slightest reserve.
Some minutes of silence follow when
she has done. The courier is not weak
enough yet to speak without stopping to
think first. Still keeping his eyes on the
countess, he makes a quantity innocent re-
mark OIL what he has just heard. Il have
not hitherto been q religious man; but /
feel myself on the way to it. Since your
ladyship has spoken to me, / believe in the
devil II is the COUNTIES interest to see
the humorous side Of this confession of
faith. She takes no offense. She only
says, 4 will give you half an hour by your
self, to think over my proposal. You are
in danger of death. Decide, in sour wife's
interest, whether you will die worth moth
ing, or die worth a thousand pounds
Left alone, the courier seriously con-
siders his pOsItion-and decides. He rises
with difficulty; writes a few lines on a leaf
taken from his pocket book; and with slow
and faltering steps leaves the room.
The countess, returning at the eXpira-
ton of the half hours interval, finds the
room empty. While she is wondering the
courier opens the door. What has he been
doing out Of his bed? He ANSWERS: Thaye
been protecting my own life, my lady, on
the bare chance that I may recover from
the bronchitis for the third time. II you
or the baron attempt to hurry me ont Of
this world or to deprive me of my 81, 900
reward / shall tell the doctor where he will
find a few lines Of writing which describes
your lsdyship's plot. 1 may not have
strength enOug, in the case supposed, to
betray you by making u complete confess
ion with my own lips, but l can employ
my last breath to speak the half dozen
words which will tell the doctor where he
is to look. Those words, it is needless to
add, will ne addressed to your ladyship if
/ find your engagements toward me faith
fully kept
with this audacious preface heproceeds
to state the condition on which he will
play his part in the conspiracy, and die If
he does die worth Ct, 900.
EITHER the countess or the baron are to
taste the food and drink brought to his
bedside, in his presence, and even the me-
dicines which the doctor may prescribe for
him. As for the money, it is to be pro-
duced in one bank note, folded in a sheet
of paper, on which . line is to be written,
dictated By the courier. The two iu-
closures are then to be sealed up in an en-
velope. addressed TO his wife, and stamped
ready for the post. This done, the letter
is to be placed under his pillow; the haron
or the countess being at liberty to satisfy
themselves, day by day at their Own time,
that the letter remains in its place, with
the seal unbroken, rs long as the doctor
has any hope of his patients recovery. The
last stipulation follows. The courier has
q conscience; and with a view to keeping
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